August 19, 2005 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - California
lawmakers are scheduled to vote on legislation that would
allow hundreds of retired state workers to take advantage of
the state's Domestic Partnership Law.

The measure, which would affect pensions, health
insurance and state defined contribution plans, passed its
last hurdle Wednesday when it was approved by the General
Assembly Appropriations Committee in a 12-5 vote, according
to a news report on 365Gay.com. The bill now moves to the
full Assembly where a vote is expected in the next several
weeks.

Under the Golden State’s partnership law, same-sex
couples enjoy many of the same rights as California offers
married couples, but it does not cover civil servants who
retired prior to the law coming into effect on January 1,
2005 (See
Golden State Law to
Require Equal Benefits for Domestic Partners
). The bill would allow those pensioners and their partners
or survivors to be included as well.

Meanwhile, a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in
the state is sitting in limbo waiting for a vote by the
full Senate, with only three weeks left in the current
session of the legislature.

The issue of gay marriage is also being fought in
California courts and the case is expected to go to the
state Supreme Court within the next two years, unless a
move to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex
marriage is successful.